The Wheel of Selfless Service

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Agam Grewal. Read his story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

When his brother went off to college, Agam Grewal didn’t just inherit a family tradition; he stepped into the driver’s seat of a mission fueled by the Sikh principle of seva, or selfless service. As the leader of SEVA Truck RVA, Agam recognized that the high eviction rates across Virginia were leaving far too many neighbors in the shadows of budget motels. Rather than letting these families fade into the background, he forged a partnership with the Hanover County School System to ensure that housing instability doesn’t mean a hunger for basic needs.

Agam’s leadership is completely hands-on. Each month, he dedicates approximately 10 hours to organizing meal preparations, community clean-ups and supply drives. On any given day, you might find him setting up materials for an event or managing fellow volunteers to ensure the operation runs like a well-oiled machine. His work isn’t just about the “what,” but the “how.” He approaches every task with a focus on strengthening community connections and inviting others to join the cause.

The impact of this consistent outreach is deeply felt in the local motels where families in crisis are often forced to stay. Through routine distributions, Agam and his team serve about 150 families, offering a sense of stability in an otherwise turbulent time. Beyond the 400 to 500 meals regularly provided, Agam ensures that the emotional needs of children are met, handing out coloring books and warm blankets to offer comfort within the cramped walls of temporary housing. It is a holistic form of care that addresses the physical pangs of hunger alongside the psychological weight of displacement.

By bridging the gap between local schools and vulnerable households, this young leader and volunteer has created a model of empathy-driven service that resonates throughout the Richmond area. Read on to hear more of his story.

Tell us about your volunteer role.

I’m the co-founder of SevaRVA, a nonprofit organization focused on addressing food insecurity in the Richmond community. Almost every weekend, I work with a team of volunteers to prepare and distribute fresh, nutritious meals to unhoused individuals. Beyond food service, I help organize volunteers, secure funding through grants and partnerships, and coordinate with local farms to source ingredients grown within the Richmond community.

My role has grown from simply serving meals to helping lead and expand the organization. I’ve worked on outreach, fundraising and long-term initiatives like developing community gardens in food deserts. Through this, I’ve been able to take an active role in both direct service and building sustainable solutions. I feel as if the limits to my impact in this volunteer role are unimaginable.

Why is fighting food insecurity so important to you?

Food insecurity is something I’ve seen up close in my own city. When you’re handing meals to the same people week after week, you start to understand that this isn’t a distant issue: it’s personal and ongoing. In Richmond alone, a significant number of families and children don’t have consistent access to nutritious food, and that reality is hard to ignore.

For me, it goes beyond just hunger. Access to food affects health, education and opportunity. Everyone deserves basic dignity, and something as simple as a warm meal can restore a sense of humanity and connection. Additionally, the word “seva” is rooted in my faith, Sikhism. It means selfless service, and is one of the reasons I found inspiration to travel down this journey. That’s why this work matters so much to me.

What inspired you to get started with this initiative?

I grew up doing community service with my family, especially through our local gurdwara (Sikh temple), where seva, selfless service, was always emphasized. From a young age, I saw the importance of giving time and effort to help others, not just when it’s convenient, but consistently. SevaRVA started as a way to take that value and make a direct impact in our own community. My brother and I first introduced the idea to my parents, and they figured out the logistics. From then on, the reins have been in our hands. What began as a small effort with a single food truck quickly grew once we saw the real need. That experience motivated me to keep building and expanding the initiative.

What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization?

Long-term, I want SevaRVA to move beyond just food distribution and focus on sustainable solutions to food insecurity. One of our main goals is to develop community gardens in food desert areas, where we can grow fresh, certified naturally grown produce and provide consistent access to healthy food. Although this is logistically complex, I believe once we get a few more up and running, it will expand vastly.

I also hope to expand our reach by building stronger partnerships and involving more youth in service. The goal is to create something that lasts, an organization that not only meets immediate needs but also helps change the lack of volunteerism and community sense.

What have you learned through your experiences volunteering?

I’ve learned that service is about giving your time and effort, even when it’s not easy. Volunteering has taught me consistency, responsibility and how to work with others toward a shared goal. It’s also changed the way I see my role in the community. I’ve realized that making a difference doesn’t require something huge. Small, steady actions can add up and create real change over time.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

The most rewarding part has been the relationships we’ve built. It’s not just about handing out food. It’s about the conversations, the names you learn and the small moments of connection. Seeing someone recognize you, smile or joke with you week after week makes the experience meaningful in a way that’s hard to describe. In one of our main food distribution points in downtown Richmond, the regulars we always see there when distributing food have now started calling us “The Burrito Boys.” Honestly, I could not be happier with the impact this experience has had on me and those directly affected. Those moments remind me that even small acts of service can have a lasting impact. Giving is easy, but constantly maintaining that bond and showing up for others is more important.

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?

When people get involved in causes they care about, they become part of something bigger than themselves. It creates a sense of responsibility and connection to the community that you don’t get otherwise. As I said earlier, real change is not stimulated through grand gestures, but always first through small actions. If more people took that step, whether it’s volunteering time or supporting an issue, the collective impact in our society would be significant.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?

Start small and stay consistent. You don’t need a big plan or organization to begin, just find something you care about. What matters most is showing up. I always used to think volunteering was glorified, and I never really gave it a chance until I realized that it was what I had always been doing. Volunteering is not always labeled, and it starts through the small actions that illustrate our integrity.

Also, don’t be afraid to take initiative. If you see a need that isn’t being met, try to do something about it. Even a small effort can grow into something much bigger over time.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Agam? Find local volunteer opportunities.